Sawyer County Trail Condition and Fishing Report:  6/10/08 

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Weather conditions continue to affect fishing in the Hayward area, with cool and windy the norm. However, waters are warming (if slowly), and bass, bluegill, and crappie are in various stages of the spawning cycle. According to DNR fisheries biologist Frank Pratt, the “text-book” optimal spawning water temperature for those species is around 67 degrees. Although most lakes were between 62-64 degrees late last week, he noted the amount of sunlight can over-ride water temperature as the spawning trigger.
This is a great time of year for fishing. If action for your favorite fish is a bit slow, other species are on a tear. Don’t stubbornly stick to the old “tried and true” methods when they aren’t working. The ability and willingness to adapt is a key to fishing success.
A reminder to those pursuing outdoor activities, be it fishing, golfing, hiking, biking, or boating: Mosquitoes and black flies are on the feed. Make sure you have repellent and protective clothing readily available, particularly in early mornings and the evenings.
And while you are traveling the north woods roads, waters, and paths, keep an eye out for wildlife lots of young wild critters and birds are now making their grand entrance into the world. Keep a camera handy – but observe from a distance.

Hayward Power Sports handles Lund, Ranger and Stratos boats, along with Bennington, Weeres and Gilgetter Pontoons.  We carry the finest outboard motors including Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Mercury and Evinrude/Johnson.  Can-Am and Polaris ATV’s and Polaris side by side Rangers round up the Off-road machines.  We have a large inventory of new and used machines.  We also have over $1,000,000.00 in parts on hand and 60,000 sq ft of shop and storage.  Stop by and say hi or visit us at www.haywardpowersports.com.

Muskies:
Musky reports range from generally good, to spotty, to on the slow side. Some warmer water will get the fish more active. On a more positive note, the fish are apparently taking an interest in a wide variety of baits. Some success reported on slowly-worked twitch and glide baits, small to medium size bucktails, crankbaits, jerkbaits, some surface bait action, and a few caught on live bait. Look for fish in shallower water areas, 6-15 feet, with new green weeds or structure.

Walleye:
Walleye are scattered (from 6-25 feet, depending on the lake), but with the new weed growth activity is picking up and fishing is good. Jigs with fatheads/minnows are still producing some fish, but the transition to leeches and crawlers is underway. In deeper water, look for weeds and structure. Keep in mind the mayfly hatch is just beginning and that will affect the bite. Trolling crankbaits and leeches or crawler harnesses in channels during the day and along weedy shorelines in the evening can be very productive. Casting crankbaits along shorelines in the evening is still very good.

Northern:
The warming water has kicked up the northern pike activity, fishing is excellent, and it would almost be easier to list what isn’t working. You can’t go wrong with spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, buzz baits, crankbaits, and live bait/northern suckers. Look for fish shallow and near the panfish or on the edges of deep weed beds. Bigger northerns will usually be in a bit deeper water.

Bass:
Bass are in shallow and spawning, and can be very aggressive at this time. Just keep in mind that when you pull a fish off its bed the eggs are left unguarded and subject to predation. For largemouth, spinners, spinnerbaits, suspending crankbaits, and even some surface lures are working. For smallmouth, tubes, jigs-and-pigs, and both shallow running and suspending crankbaits (X-Raps in particular) are very effective right now.
A reminder to bass anglers: Effective this year, anglers targeting bass during the Northern Zone catch and release bass season (until June 21) must use only artificials with barbless hooks.

Crappie:
Crappies are spawning in the shallows, though on some waters they have finished and are moving to deeper water. Look from shallow to deep (2-10 feet), near cribs, new weeds, and wood. If you don’t find them in one spot, check another. Changing locations may be required each day. Or during the day. Best baits include crappie minnows, fatheads, waxies, plastics, and tube jibs.

Bluegill:
The bluegill spawn is just starting and the fish are moving in and out of the shallows. Look for bigger ‘gills deeper. Action can be very good in the shallows and in the warmer, shallow bays, and around wood and structure. A wide variety of baits and presentations will work, including teardrops and dressed jigs tipped with waxies, worms, crawler pieces, red worms, leaf worms, small leeches, plastics, and poppers. A plain hook with live bait can oftentimes be just as effective.